SPIRITUAL  PROSPERITY  CONDITIONED 
UPON  THE  MISSIONARY  WORK. 


Spiritual  prosperity 

CONDITIONED  UPON  THE  MISSIONARY  WORK. 


A 

SERMON 


TREACIIET)  FOR  TIIE 


BOARD  OF  FOREIGN  MISSIONS  OF  TIIE  PRESBYTERIAN  CIIURCII  OF 
TIIE  UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA, 


APRIL  30,  1865. 


IN  THE  BRICK  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH.  NEW  YORK. 


REV.  M.  J.  HICKOK,  D.  D., 

OF  SCRANTON,  PA. 


published  at  the  request  of  the  Executive  (^oraraittee. 


NEW  YORK: 

MISSION  HOUSE,  No.  23  CENTRE  STREET. 

1865. 


New  Y ork : 
Edward  O.  Jenkins,  Printer, 
SO  North  William  St. 


SERMON. 


“ Anil  Jesus  came  and  spake  unto  them,  saying,  All  power  is  given  unto  me  in 
heaven  and  in  earth.  Go  ye  therefore,  and  teach  all  nations,  baptizing  them  in  the 
name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost ; teaching  them  to  observe 
all  things  whatsoever  I have  commanded  you:  and,  lo ! I am  with  you  alway,  even 
unto  the  end  of  the  world.  Amen.” — Matthew  xxviii.  18-20. 

This  is  tlie  crowning  utterance  of  our  Lord  J esus  Christ- 
Tlie  time , the  circumstances , the  significance  of  it,  exalt  it 
to  the  glowing  summit  of  those  “ exceeding  great  and  precious 
promises,”  by  which  we  become  “partakers  of  the  Divine 
nature.” 

The  time  was  that  fullness  of  ages 

“ Which  kings  and  prophets  waited  for, 

But  died  without  the  Sight 

that  trembling  moment  in  the  history  of  man,  when  redemp- 
tion was  to  be  declared  complete ; when  the  Saviour  of  the 
world  was  to  be  crowned  victorious  over  sin,  death,  and  the 
devil,  and  to  enter  heaven  as  a conqueror.  In  all  the  expe- 
rience of  Adam’s  race,  there  has  not  been  another  such  a 
moment. 

The  circumstances  were  befitting  the  occasion.  The  main 
body  of  Christ’s  disciples  had  assembled,  by  his  appoint- 
ment, for  a final  and  transcendant  interview.  After  his  resur- 
rection our  Lord  had  appeared  to  the  two  Marys — “ last  at  the 
cross  and  earliest  at  the  sepulchre” — and  addressed  them,  in  hur- 
ried accents : “ Be  not  afraid  : go  tell  my  brethren  that  they 


4 


SPIRITUAL  PROSPERITY  CONDITIONED 


go  before  me  into  Galilee.”  Indeed,  the  angels,  seen  in  tbe 
abandoned  tomb  of  Joseph,  bad  said  tbe  same  before,  with  even 
more  hurried  accents  : “ Go  quickly,  and  tell  his  disciples  that 
he  is  risen  from  the  dead ; and,  behold ! he  goeth  before 
you  into  Galilee ; there  shall  ye  see  him  : lo  ! I have  told  you.” 
Before  he  fulfilled  this  appointment,  our  Lord  had  appeared 
many  times  to  individuals — at  Jerusalem,  on  the  way  to 
Emmaus,  on  the  shore  of  Tiberias,  and  elsewhere.  But  there 
was  something  'pre-eminent  in  this  Epiphany,  worthy  of  ever- 
lasting remembrance  and  dutiful  regard  by  the  whole  Church. 
The  forty  days  of  his  sojourn  on  earth,  after  his  passion,  were 
now  wasting  away.  His  followers  had  gathered  in  Galilee  to 
meet  the  great  appointment  of  the  risen  Lord.  It  was  upon  a 
mountain ; but  which  and  where  none  of  the  eye-witnesses 
have  undertaken  to  tell  us.  The  scene  would  demand  room 
and  seclusion,  as  the  Transfiguration  did,  and  there  is  no  in- 
congruity in  assuming  the  same  location.  Upon  the  matchless 
Tabor,  therefore — their  eyes  sweeping  at  a glance  the  scenes  im- 
mortalized by  our  Saviour’s  life  and  labors — let  us  contemplate 
the  assembled  Church,  standing  around  their  ascending  Lord 
for  the  last  time  on  earth,  and  receiving  his  farewell  charge  : 
“ All  power  is  given  unto  me  in  heaven  and  in  earth.  Go  ye 
therefore,  and  teach  all  nations,  baptizing  them  in  the.  name  of 
the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost ; teaching 
them  to  observe  all,  things  whatsoever  I have  commanded  you : 
and,  lo ! I am  with  you  alway,  even  unto  the  end  of  the 
world.  Amen.” 

No  such  words  ever  fell  upon  mortal  ears  before  nor  since ; no 
such  assemblage  ever  trod  this  earth’s  surface  since  time  began  ; 
nor  shall,  till  that  same  Jesus  corneth  again  in  the  clouds  of 
heaven.  Never  could  language  be  rendered  more  solemnly 
impressive  by  external  circumstances.  The  glorious  Saviour 
trembling  between  two  worlds,  the  visible  link,  binding  this 
mortal  to  that  immortal  life  beyond  ; after  death,  yet  still  in 
the  body,  still  burning  with  deathless  sympathy,  seeking 


UPON  TIIE  MISSION  A BY  WORK. 


5 


one  more  interview  on  earth,  that  he  might  repeat,  in  the  hear- 
ing of  the  whole  Church,  the  sublime  missionary  command 
already  given  in  private  to  the  Apostles,  on  the  very  day  of 
the  Resurrection  : “ Go  ye  therefore,  and  teach  all  nations 

whatsoever  I have  commanded  you  : and,  lo  ! 1 am  with  you 
alway,  even  unto  the  end  of  the  world.  Amen.” 

The  significance  of  this  great  command  it  has  been  the  effort 
of  the  Church  for  eighteen  centuries  to  educe  and  actualize. 
It  contains,  first  of  all,  a sublime  assumption  of  full  Divinity, 

“ All  power  is  given  unto  me  in  heaven  and  in  earth.”  The 
possession  of  omnipotence  could  not  be  more  concisely  stated. 
By  virtue  of  this  power,  I commission  you  to  go  out  and  re- 
cover a lost  world  to  God  and  happiness : you,  Apostles,  first  of 
all.  The  eleven  had  been  commissioned  before  (Mark  xvi.  15) 
but  now,  in  the  presence  of  the  whole  Church,  this  commission 
is  repeated  with  a solemn  emphasis.  But  others  are  now  in- 
cluded. The  vast  assembly  surrounding  the  Apostles,  the  “ five 
hundred  brethren  at  once  ” — all  invited,  as  distinctly  as  the 
“ eleven  ” — give  a peculiar  direction  and  application  to  the 
words,  “ Go  ye  therefore,  and  disciple  the  nations.”  The  re- 
sponsibility was  rolled  upon  the  Church , “ evangelists,  elders 
and  deacons,”  as  well  as  upon  the  Apostles.  All  that  consti-  • 
tuted  the  “ body  of  Christ,  and  members  in  particular  ” — 
Apostles,  Prophets,  teachers,  miracles,  gifts,  helps,  govern- 
ments— the  whole  body  of  the  discipleship  was  plainly 
addressed,  “ Go  ye  and  make  disciples  of  all  nations.” 

The  work  of  missions  does  not  rest  exclusively  upon  the  min- 
istry. Neither  can  it  be  inferred  from  the  command  that  they 
only  are  to  “ go.”  “ Tell  his  disciples  and  Peter,”  relates  the 
exact  Evangelist  Mark,  “ that  he  goeth  before  you  into  Galilee.” 
To  his  disciples  and  the  Apostles,  without  a question,  the  com- 
mand was  addressed,  “ go,”  do  this  great  work.  The  whole 
Church  are  solemnly  commissioned,  by  the  ascending  Saviour, 
to  engage  in  the  grand  life-work  of  evangelizing  the  nations. 
They  were  to  do  three  things : 


G 


SPIRITUAL  PROSPERITY  COXDITIOXED 


1.  “Teach  all  nations;”  nadtirevoare — make  disciples  of — con- 
vert to  the  faith  as  it  is  in  Jesus. 

2.  “ Baptizing  them.”  Henceforth  Baptism,  instead  of  Cir- 
cumcision, is  to  he  the  outward  rite  of  initiation.  Baptism 
had  heretofore  been  applied  to  Pagan  proselytes,  signiiying  the 
washing  away  of  the  defilements  of  Paganism  ; hut  they  were 
also  circumcised.  Henceforth  it  should  suffice  to  baptize  them 
only  in  the  name  of  the  Trinity. 

3.  “ Teaching  them  to  observe  all  things  whatsoever  I have 

commanded  you.”  Here  is  employed  a very  different  word 
from  that  rendered  to  teacli , in  the  first  member  of  the  sen- 
tence, diddoicovreg — as  believers  and  members  of  the  Church  in- 
doctrinate them : instruct  them  in  the  usa<je  and  duties  of  our 
holy  religion.  “And,  lo  ! I am  with  you  alway,  even  unto  the 
end  of  the  world.”  The  relation  of  this  promise  to  the  pre- 
cepts which  antecede  it  cannot  be  mistaken.  It  is  clearly 
conditioned  upon  obedience  to  those  precepts.  As  if  he  had  said 
while  you  are  doing  this  evangelical  work,  count  on  my  pres- 
ence and  help  till  the  final  consummation.  Whatever  other  ex- 
perience of  believers  may  claim,  the  special  presence  of  Christ, 
the  great  missionary  promise : “ Lo,  I am  with  you  alway, 

even  unto  the  end  of  the  world  ” — is  pledged  especially  to  those 
who  are  discipling  the  nations — -dvra  rd  "eOvTj — “ all ' the  na- 
tions,” especially  Pagans.  The  usage  of  Scripture  is  decisive  on 
this  point.  By  the  Gentiles,  Jewish  writers  meant  especially 
those  who  were  ignorant  of  Jehovah  and  opposers  of  the  true 
religion. 

In  a loose  sense,  the  Hebrew  word  Ortj,  was  applied  to  all 
communities  and  nations  not  under  the  law ; but  accurately 
it  was  “the  heathen  our  enemies”  (Neh.  v.  9),  the  barbarous 
Tartars  about  the  River  Chebar  (Ezek.  iv.  13),  and  the  pro- 
fane Samaritans,  who  so  opposed  the  re-establishment  of  Juda- 
ism after  the  captivity. 

In  the  New  Testament,  in  like  manner,  rd  'tOvij  critically  con- 
veys the  idea  of  godless  and  wicked  nations.  The  term  is  ap- 


UPON  THE  MISSIONARY  WORK. 


7 


plied  to  tlie  executioners  of  our  Lord,  “ And  they  shall  con- 
dernn  him  to  death,  and  shall  deliver  him  to  the  Gentiles  ” 
(Mark  x.  33).  Against  him,  “ both  Herod  and  Pontius  Pilate, 
with  the  Gentiles,  were  gathered  together”  (Acts  iv.  27). 
The  promise  made  to  Saul  of  Tarsus  from  out  that  overshadow- 
ing brightness  which  prostrated  him  on  the  earth,  was,  “ I will 
deliver  thee  from  the  people,  and  from  the  Gentiles,  unto  whom 
I now  send  thee”  (Acts  xxvi.  17). 

It  was  to  those  poor,  ignorant,  hostile  Gentiles  especially  that 
the  Church  was  solemnly  commissioned  to  bear  the  Gospel 
message.  Among  them  the  primitive  disciples  were  chiefly  to 
labor  and  achieve  their  triumphs.  And  only  when  doing  so 
could  they  fairly  appropriate  the  stupendous  promise,  “Lo!  I 
am  with  you  alway,  even  unto  the  end  of  the  world.” 

"We  are  called  upon  to  consider  two  points : 

First — The  blessing  contained  in  that  pledged  Presence, 
“ Lo  ! I am  with  you.” 

Second — The  condition  on  which  the  promise  rests,  viz.: 
that  the  Church  go  forth  and  make  disciples  of  all  nations, 
especially  heathen  nations. 

I.  Let  us  develop  the  meaning  of  the  promise,  “Lo!  I am 
with  you  alway.”  The  language  had  a significance  in  Jewish 
ears,  which  it  has  not  in  ours. 

The  Church  from  the  days  of  Abraham  had  been  under 
the  care  of  a special  providence.  The  patriarchs  were  not 
common  men.  Their  career  was  divinely  guided.  They  led  a 
charmed  life.  Peace  dwelt  in  their  tents.  The  angels  of  God 
encamped  around  “ their  rising  and  their  rest,”  and  crowned 
their  whole  land  with  sacredness  and  joy. 

That  special  providence  was  continued  to  the  children  of 
the  Exode.  It  was  made  vivid  by  a stupendous  symbol — the 
well-known  “pillar  of  cloud  by  day,  and  fire  by  night.” 
This  over-shadowino;  Presence  was  their  sun  and  shield ; 
directing  their  marches,  defending  their  encampments, 
and  wielding  the  two-edged  sword  of  divine  justice.  It 


8 


SPIRITUAL  PROSPERITY  CONDITIONED 


was  the  recognized  dwelling  among  them  of  their  Covenant 
God. 

The  threatened  withdrawal  of  that  protecting  Presence,  filled 
Moses  with  alarm  and  horror : “If  thy  presence  go  not  with 
me,  carry  us  not  up  hence.  For  wherein  shall  it  be  known 
here  that  I and  thy  people  have  found  grace  in  thy  sight  ? 
Is  it  not  in  that  thou  goest  with  us  T'  This  spiritual  Presence 
and  Companionship  was  the  glory  of  ancient  Israel.  While 
they  were  obedient  their  whole  land  was  shadowed  by  the 
Almighty  wing.  Their  hill-sides  were  hallowed  by  angelic 
footsteps,  and  their  rest  guarded  by  watch-fires  of  unquenchable 
flame.  This  extraordinary  Providence  made  Israel  a “peculiar 
people  his  land  a “ holy  land  ;”  and  his  history  -worthy  of 
universal  remembrance  and  study. 

How  full  of  meaning  to  such  a people  was  the  pledge  of  the 
demonstrated  Messiah,  “ Lo  ! I am  with  you  alway !” 

This  was  the  identical  blessing  promised  to  the  pious  Jews, 
in  nearly  the  same  words : “ My  presence  shall  go  with  thee, 
and  I will  give  thee  rest.”  The  one  of  these  pledges  is  co-ex- 
tensive  with  the  other.  That  stupendous  national  life,  there- 
fore marked  by  miracles,  which  so  signalized  ancient  Israel,  is 
but  the  providential  demonstration  of  our  missionary  promise, 
“ Lo ! I am  with  you  alway,  even  unto  the  end  of  the  world.” 
Israel  forfeited  the  blessing,  by  unbelief  and  disobedience  ; but 
it  shall  remain  with  the  Church  of  the  Messiah  for  ever.  The 
“ sceptre  departed  from  Judah,”  but  it  has  been  grasped  by 
another  hand,  even  His  to  whom  it  belonged,  and  lie  shall 
reign  for  ever  and  ever,  “ The  kingdoms  of  this  world  are  the 
kingdoms  of  our  Lord,  and  of  his  Christ.” 

His  care  of  his  Church  is  just  as  real,  minute,  and  tender, 
as  it  ever  was  of  “ Israel,  his  inheritance.”  All  the  promises 
ever  made  to  Israel  may  be  appropriated  by  that  Church — are 
actually  fulfilled  in  her  current  experience.  No  Red  Sea  may 
open  before  the  embarrassed  tribes  of  our  modern  Israel ; but 
what  unlooked-for  paths  through  deep  waters — what  calm 


UPON  T1IE  MISSIONARY  WORK. 


9 


transits  through  stormy  troubles  have  evoked  the  songs  of  our 
Christian  Miriams,  all  along  the  Gospel  dispensation  ? Hail- 
stones have  not  fallen  from  heaven  and  crushed  our  moral  op- 
ponents ; but  the  blows  of  sound  logic,  heavier  than  hail ; the 
startling  changes  of  Providence,  swifter  than  a thunder-gust, 
have  swayed  the  minds  of  hostile  men — chased  them  from  the 
field,  or  changed  them  from  enemies  to  friends.  Pestilence, 
like  an  angel  of  darkness,  has  not  withered  our  Gospel  foes,  as 
it  cut  down  Sennacherib’s  army  before  the  gates  of  trembling 
Jerusalem;  but ’the  Holy  Spirit  has  often  made  the  appeals  to 
reason  and  gratitude,  hope  and  fear,  smiting  and  transforming 
as  that  sword  of  the  Lord  against  Israel’s  enemies.  No  fiery 
bolt  may  now  flash  from  the  Sliekiuah,  to  warn  offending 
church  members,  or  hold  their  enemies  in  check  ; but  a swift 
piercing  conviction  often  assails  the  heart,  before  which  the 
stout  will  yields,  and  the  bold  transgressor  is  conquered.  The 
fierce  passions  of  Pagan  idolaters  are  calmed,  as  visibly  as  the 
lions’  mouths  were  shut  in  Daniel’s  prison-den.  The  cold, 
corrupt  hearts  of  dead  sinners  have  throbbed,  and  lived, 
and  leaped  for  joy,  as  contrary  to  nature  as  Lazarus’  emergence 
from  the  burial-cave  in  Bethany.  Round  her  imperiled 
mountains  have  been  found  protecting  forces,  real  and  effect- 
ive, as  the  “ horses  and  chariots  of  fire”  about  the  Prophet 
Elisha. 

The  promise  lias  been  gloriously  fulfilled.  Christ  is  with 
his  Church  always,  to  protect  and  guide  it.  He  is  with  every 
member  of  it,  who  maintains  a holy  “ walk  with  God giving 
his  angels  charge  concerning  him,  and  guiding  the  universe  for 
his  welfare. 

Not  a moment  of  all  our  lives  has  the  Saviour  been  absent 
from  us,  or  forgetful  of  our  highest  welfare.  Not  a moment, 
while  time  continues  or  immortality  endures,  will  he  forget  or 
forsake  his  people.  To  the  last,  worst  moment  of  their  want 
or  fear,  he  will  be  true  to  his  promise  : “ Lo  ! I am  with  you 
alway,  even  unto  the  end  of  the  world.”  His  countless  in- 


10 


SPIRITUAL  PROSPERITY  CONDITIONED 


terpositions  and  quenchless  life  in  the  Church  are  pledges  that 
he  will  never  desert  his  people. 

This  promise  is  fulfilled  also  in  the  spiritual  experience  of 
every  believer,  and  in  the  quickened  ordinances  of  the  Church. 
Christ  is  present  by  his  Spirit,  in  every  believing  heart.  That 
Spirit,  admitted  as  a guide,  obeyed  as  a teacher,  cherished  as 
a companion,  inaugurates  a new  life.  Christ  is  “ formed  within 
us,  the  hope  of  glory.”  He  is  our  life,  he  dwells  in  our 
hearts  by  faith.  It  is  his  Spirit  that  giveth  us  life.  He  is 
with  us,  according  to  his  promise,  as  the  power  of  a holy  ser- 
vice, in  all  our  sanctified  feelings  and  pious  activities. 

He  is  present  in  our  Christian  assemblies,  kindling  the 
quenched  sensibilities,  commanding  the  wayward  will,  and 
sealing  the  soul  unto  the  day  of  redemption.  Our  sacred  ordi- 
nances become  instinct  with  the  life  of  God;  our  worship 
becomes  vivid  and  affecting;  as  the  incense  curling;  above  the 
golden  altar.  The  word  comes  with  authority  and  power, 
such  as  clothed  the  responses  of  the  holy  of  holies,  or  as  rolled 
in  thunder-tones  from  a blazing  Sinai.  Our  Christian  walk 
and  conversation  glow  and  burn  like  that  of  the  disciples  on 
the  way  to  Emmaus,  as  Christ  went  with  them.  Our  life 
becomes  earnest  and  faithful,  like  that  of  our  Lord’s  com- 
panions, when  his  love  burned  within  them  and  his  zeal  in- 
spired their  breasts. 

Christ  is  present  in  all  his  authorized  ordinances,  to  animate 
and  strengthen  believers,  to  convict  and  convert  sinners.  This 
is  our  only  hope.  Without  a quickening  power  from  above 
marking  the  presence  of  Christ,  the  Church  withers,  the  Word 
becomes  inert,  ordinances  are  worthless  and  life  departs. 


“ Hosannahs  languish  on  our  tongues, 
And  our  devotion  dies.” 


We  cry  out,  with  shocked  and  disheartened  Moses,  “ If  thy 
presence  go  not  with  us,  carry  us  not  up  hence.” 


UPON  TIIE  MISSIONARY  WORK. 


1 1 


But  where  Christ  is  all  this  is  changed.  There  is  life  and 
power ; all  things  flash  and  move  and  sweep  onward.  The 
Church,  blessed  with  His  presence,  will  be  alive;  “ changing 
time  and  seasons,’'  disturbing  dead  abominations,  and  melting 
the  ghostly  frost-work  of  nature’s  night  and  winter.  It  brings 
the  spring-time  in  the  moral  world.  Old  ice-bridges  are  cracked, 
upheaved  and  tumbled  together,  buried  out  of  sight.  The 
sleeping-ground  is  disturbed,  plowed  over,  perchance  burned 
over  and  harrowed  to  powder,  preparatory  to  a better  crop. 
“ He  shall  come  down  like  rain  upon  the  mown  grass.”  There 
is  to  be  a new  and  wondrous  growth,  and  all  the  breaking-up 
subjugation  and  destruction,  preparatory  to  that  growth,  will 
surely  take  place.  The  reign  of  death  ends,  the  era  of  life 
commences  as  Christ  approaches.  That  life  in  the  Church  is 
to  be  permanent.  Old  things  pass  away  for  ever.  These  new 
growths  fade  not  into  the  “ sere  and  yellow  leaf.”  Grace 
knows  no  autumn,  save  a serene  and  fruitful  old  age.  The 
tree  planted  by  the  River  of  Life,  brings  forth  peipetual  fruit. 
Its  “ leaf  does  not  wither.'’  Ere  the  winter-time  it  is  trans- 
planted to  an  immortal  realm,  where  blighting  frost  and  sad 
decay  never  come.  The  grand  characteristic  of  Christ’s  pres- 
ence will  be  life — sacred , powerful,  triumphant  life  ! 

How  may  this  life  be  secured  ? We  are  now  prepared  to 
consider — 

II.  The  condition  on  which  this  presence  of  Christ  is  prom- 
ised, viz. : That  the  Church  will  go  forth  and  disciple  all 
nations,  especially  Pagan  nations.  The  language  itself  is  ex 
plicit.  The  promise  of  His  personal  presence  is  added,  as  an 
encouragement  in  this  very  work  : “ Go,  disciple  all  nations.” 
The  achievement  was  gigantic,  the  obstacles  mighty,  and  the 
means  at  the  disposal  of  the  infant  Church  fearfully  inadequate. 
Hence,  adds  the  sympathizing  Saviour,  as  the  only  hope  of 
success  on  their  part,  “ I will  be  with  you.”  Other  spheres 
and  duties  might  be  blessed  with  that  Presence ; but  the 
pledge  in  all  its  fullness,  was  limited  to  one  work,  conditioned 


12 


SPIRITUAL  PROSPERITY  CONDITIONED 


upon  one  line  of  obedience.  “ Go  and  do  tbis  thing,  and  I 
will  be  with  you.”  The  missionary  laborer  treads  the  inner 
circle  of  this  glowing  promise  ; bathes  in  the  deep  noontide  of 
the  Divine  manifestation.  The  Apostles  and  first  missionaries 
would  entertain  the  most  exalted  conceptions  of  what  they 
were  to  expect,  from  our  Lord’s  pledge.  The  value  of  his 
presence  and  companionship  they  had  tested  in  many  a dark 
hour,  while  he  was  with  them  in  the  flesh.  Once,  at  the  close 
of  a weary  day,  they  sought  retirement  by  crossing  the  Sea  of 
Galilee.  Our  Lord  fell  asleep  on  a pillow.  Suddenly  that 
fickle  sea  was  swept  by  a furious  tempest,  which  threatened 
to  engulf  them  all.  The  sharp  cries  of  the  fearful  disciples, 
“ Lord,  save  us,  we  perish,”  awakened  the  Master,  and  his  om- 
nipotent words,  “Peace,  be  still,”  calmed  the  vexed  waters  to 
a repose  sweet  as  their  Lord’s  upon  his  undisturbed  “ pillow, 
in  the  Linder  part  of  the  ship.” 

Once  again,  on  that  same  sea,  they  were  rowing  in  the 
teeth  of  another  gale  more  terrible  than  this.  Jesus  was  not 
with  them.  They  despaired  of  reaching  the  land.  All  night 
they  had  buffeted  manfully  that  mad  hurricane.  But  now, 
in  the  morning-watch,  when  almost  exhausted,  lo ! Jesus  ap- 
pears to  them,  walking  on  the  water  ! The  moment  his  feet 
touched  the  tossing  vessel,  behold  ! “ the  winds  ceased,  and 
immediately  they  were  at  the  land  whither  they  went.” 
Afterward,  at  Bethany,  a noble  family  was  overwhelmed 
by  the  death  of  a brother.  A wild  and  fearful  wail  of  anguish 
burst  from  the  dark  dwelling  and  swelled  on  the  countless 
tongues  of  sympathizing  friends.  But  the  arrival  of  Jesus 
hushed  that  wild  grief,  and  restored  that  lost  brother,  recovered 
from  corruption  and  the  worm. 

Always  Christ’s  presence  Lad  been  the  sunshine  of  their 
lives,  and  a shield  against  all  possible  evils.  Oh  ! if  he  should 
be  with  them  tliey  could  venture  to  attempt  the  conquest  of 
the  nations.  A few  unlettered  fishermen  and  poor  peasants 
would  need  a strong  assurance,  before  they  could  hope  to 


UPON  THE  MISSIONARY  WORK. 


13 


subdue  the  world  to  the  obedience,  of  the  faith.  Our  Lord 
would  not  impose  a task  so  hard,  without  adequate  support 
and  resources  for  its  accomplishment.  That  fitness  and  fur- 
niture were  pledged  in  His  own  constant  presence.  It  would 
be  infallible  and  all-sufficient.  Before  his  quickening  Spirit^ 
boisterous  passions  should  crouch  into  calmness,  quickly  as 
the  foaming  waters  of  Gennesaret,  and  the  imperiled  workers 
would  find  a safe  harbor.  His  presence  would  tinge  with 
brightness  the  darkest  cloud  of  sorrow,  and  change  a wail  of 
despair  into  a shout  of  victory,  even  at  the  mouth  of  the 
sepulchre ! 

The  first  disciples  must  have  had  sublime  conceptions  of 
what  the  promise  meant — “ Lo ! I am  with  you  alway.”  Their' 
conduct  shows  what  application  they  gave  it.  They  “ went 
everywhere,  preaching  the  word.”  Every  one  that  “ heard, 
said,  Come.”  Every  disciple  became  an  active  “ laborer  to- 
gether with  God.”  They  were  in  a hurry  to  go  into  all  the 
world.  They  did  not  believe  the  promise  would  be  fulfilled, 
while  they  were  disobedient  or  inactive.  They  could  not  for- 
get the  awful  providential  illustrations  afforded  to  their 
fathers.  The  sin  at  Sinai  had  forfeited  to  Israel  the  Divine 
protection  and  blessing.  But  for  the  entreaty  of  Moses  they 
had  perished  on  the  spot.  Their  cowardice  and  treachery,  on 
the  border  of  the  Promised  Land,  turned  them  back  to  an  aim- 
less eiTor  and  slow  mortality,  which  laid  every  adult  among 
them  in  a desert  grave.  God’s  blessing  was  always  conditioned 
upon  obedience.  So  they  would  understand  the  promise — so 
all  subsequent  generations  have  found  it. 

As  a matter  of  fact,  this  promise  has  been  fulfilled  in  the 
Church  at  large  only  when  she  has  obeyed  the  command,  “ Go 
teach  all  nations.”  The  half  century  immediately  succeeding 
the  day  of  Pentecost  was  undoubtedly  the  most  fruitful, 
powerful  and  glorious  in  the  history  of  Christianity.  The 
Apostles  did  grandly  endeavor  to  “go  into  all  the  world 
and  preach  the  Gospel  to  every  creature.”  They  seemed  in 


14 


SPIRITUAL  PROSPERITY  CONDITIO>*ED 


haste,  as  if  the  time  was  short.  The  whole  Church  co- 
operated and  “brought  them  on  their  way.”  They  “laid 
their  possessions  at  the  Apostle’s  feet.”  They,  with  their 
united  prayers,  opened  their  prison-doors  and  delivered  them 
from  “deaths  oft.”  They  exemplified  their  impassioned 
preaching  with  their  holy  lives  and  heroic  deaths.  It  was  the 
triumphant  time  with  Christianity — the  type  and  pledge  of 
all  its  triumphs. 

In  smaller  circles  and  more  private  experience,  the  fulfillment 
of  this  promise  has  been  equally  satisfactory.  Whenever  and 
wherever  any  Church  or  individuals  have  taken  up  these  labors 
of  the  Apostles,  similar  results  have  followed.  Christ  has 
been  with  them.  Their  own  characters  have  glowed  with 
the  beauty  of  an  angel.  Mighty  works  have  sprung  into 
being,  and  reared  their  monuments  along  their  path.  Peace 
at  home  and  conquests  abroad  have  crowned  their  zeal  with 
perpetual  triumph.  The  particular  congregation  which  has 
been  most  devoted  to  the  world’s  conversion  has  been  most 
blessed  in  all  their  private  ordinances  and  enjoyments. 
Churches  interested  in  missions  are  spiritual  churches  all 
Christendom  over ! The  Sabbath-school  which  embodies  most 
of  this  spirit,  which  devotes  itself  to  the  poor  and  neglected 
children  of  the  parish,  is  always  most  prosperous  and  most 
blessed  in  its  effects  upon  its  own  offspring.  Christ  is  with 
them,  and  the  Gospel  has  a flavor  and  power  which  the  ex- 
clusive and  selfish  never  know. 

The  soul  that  waters  others  is  watered  also  himself.  What- 
ever the  sphere  of  his  ministrations,  if  he  endeavor  to  make 
disciples  of  others,  his  own  hope  burns  brightly ; his  own  fruit- 
fulness is  ripe  and  abundant. 

The  reflex  influence  of  sincere  evangelism  is  the  most  won- 
drous thing  about  it.  It  is  the  seal  and  authentication  of  the 
Divine  Presence  which  accompanies  it.  This  indirect  blessing 
may  be  the  chiefest  good  about  the  service.  It  never  fails. 
It  is  sure  and  speedy.  Whatever  disappointment  the  mis- 


ETON  TIIE  MISSIONARY  WORK. 


15 


sionary  may  encounter  on  tlie  foreign  field,  lie  lias  poured  a 
rich  boon  into  his  own  bosom,  which  no  failure  can  touch. 
The  money  which  your  hands  put  into  the  Lord’s  treasury 
will  be  the  seed  of  new  peace  and  joy  in  your  own  soul,  what- 
ever be  the  destiny  of  the  expenditure  abroad.  Charity  is 
twice  blessed.  It  blesses  him  who  receives  it,  and  doubly 
blesses  him  who  gives.  This  broad  fact  of  Christian  experi- 
ence is  the  providential  confirmation  of  the  promise,  “ Lo  ! I 
am  with  you  alway,”  whenever  you  imitate  my  work  and 
sacrifice.  This  is  the  deep  secret  of  all  missionary  success. 
The  spirit  of  missions  is  the  real  spirit  of  Christ.  When  the 
ascending  Lord  bade  the  assembled  Church  “ Go  and  do  these 
evangelical  works,”  he  only  commanded  them  to  follow  his 
footsteps.  He  came  to  our  world  on  an  unmatched  mission 
of  love.  That  same  love  must  be  the  main-spring  of  our 
obedience.  Just  as  truly  as  Paul,  we  are  “ debtors  both  to  the 
Greeks  and  to  the  Barbarians,  both  to  the  wise  and  to  the 
unwise.”  In  the  behalf  of  Christ,  we  are  to  communicate  his 
dying  love  to  lost  men.  We  are  to  carry  it  to  them  and  urge 
it  upon  their  acceptance ; even  as  He  “ came  down  from 
heaven,  not  to  be  ministered  unto  but  to  minister.”  The 
Gospel  is  essentially  missionary  in  its  principles  and  precepts ; 
in  its  spirit  and  inspired  examples.  Its  foundation  is  love, 
inspired  by  suffering  and  danger.  Its  great  command , “ Go  to 
the  lost  and  press  the  motives  of  redemption  upon  them,” 
even  as  God  became  man,  and  worked  out  the  great  salvation 
in  the  midst  of  human  frailties  and  infirmities.  Its  spirit  is 
one  of  holy  devotion  to  other’s  good.  Its  brightest  lights  and 
best  examples  sparkle  with  missionary  zeal,  and  bum  with 
benevolence,  as  a consuming  fire.  The  true  type  of  Chris- 
tianity undoubtedly  is  found  in  the  missionary  age  and 
achievements.  Certainly  the  missionary  work  is  our  only 
defense  against  the  encroachments  of  the  world,  and  the  bale- 
ful reign  of  selfishness.  Our  piety  demands  some  such  un- 
worldly  work  and  sacrifice  to  save  it  from  utter  carnality. 


16 


SPIRITUAL  PROSPERITY  CONDITIONED 


We  want  a protest,  sharp  and  vivid,  against  the  despotism  of 
sense  and  fashion  and  manifold  sin.  The  world  is  falling  into 

O 

scepticism  for  want  of  attractive  goodness,  the  power  of  a 
holy  sacrifice  and  the  blazing  light  of  disinterested  love.  The 
missionary  work,  more  than  any  other  now  attempted  bv  the 
Church,  demands  and  inspires  such  sacrifice.  The  ten  derest 
ties  of  home  and  kindred  are  deliberately  severed.  The  dis- 
tasteful fellowship  of  heathen  ignorance  and  pollution  is  freely 
welcomed.  Yea,  even  the  swift  martyrdom  to  deadly  malaria 
is  braved  and  gloried  in  for  religious  considerations  alone. 
Such  sublime  sacrifice  startles  the  self-indulging  Church  with 
the  presence  of  a Spirit  which  is  not  of  earth.  The  impulsive 
power  of  a new  conviction  ; the  magnetism  of  Messianic  love 
silently  penetrates  and  transforms  the  whole  body  of  be- 
lievers. Old  sceptical  habits  of  thought  melt  off,  and  nobler 
aspirations  exalt  and  spiritualize  the  Church. 

In  the  missionary  work  we  find  the  true  remedy  for  secta- 
rianism and  every  species  of  exclusiveness.  Face  to  face  with 
dying  heathen,  our  differences  fade  away ; our  bigotry  is 
rebuked,  and  becomes  contemptible.  We  exalt  what  is 
essential  to  Christianity.  We  bring  into  prominence  what  we 
all  hold  in  common,  and  mutual  sympathy  and  brotherly  love 
burst  into  a blaze. 

This  whole  unworldly  work  naturally  fellowships  the  spirit 
of  our  Lord.  He  was  a missionary,  and  we  find  sympathy  with 
him  only  when  walking  in  his  footsteps.  The  natural  link  of 
connection  between  the  Christian  laborer  and  his  exalted 
Lord,  is  this  very  “ discipling  of  the  nations.”  We  are  doing 
Ilis  work — walking  in  his  footsteps,  and  obeying  his  most 
solemn  command.  He  will  fulfill  his  promise,  “Lo!  I am 
with  you  alway,  even  unto  the  end  of  the  world.  Amen.” 

But,  disobey  that  command ; quench  your  sympathies  for 
the  perishing  heathen,  and  recall  your  missionaries,  and  no 
man  can  have  any  assurance  that  Christ  will  be  with  us.  I 
fear  greatly  that  the  “ tabernacle  of  God  ” will  be  removed 


UPON  THE  MISSIONARY  WORK. 


17 


from  our  sacred  camp  and  pitched  afar  off,  as  it  was  from  sin- 
ning Israel  at  Sinai ; or  that  the  glory  of  the  Lord  will  blaze 
about  it  only  in  anger,  giving  emphasis  to  the  fatal  and  final 
sentence,  “ Your  carcasses  shall  fall  in  this  wilderness. 
Doubtless  ye  shall  not  come  into  the  land  concerning  which 
I swear  to  make  you  dwell  therein.” 

Brethren  ! let  us  look  about  us, 

“ Wc  are  living,  we  arc  dwelling, 

In  a grand  and  awful  time.” 

In  all  the  march  of  the  Dead  Ages  no  such  movements  have 
ever  startled  human  life.  Swifter,  sublimer  than  ever  before, 
all  things  sweep  “down  the  ringing  grooves  of  change.” 
Divine  voices  are  swelling  about  us,  loud  as  the  noise  of  many 
waters.  God  is  lifting  up  his  ensign  upon  the  mountains.  The 
great  trumpet  of  His  providence  has  been  blown.  All  the 
people  of  the  land  are  summoned  to  see  and  hear.  We  can 
“ be  strong  and  work,”  if  we  can  have  the  divine  assurance, 
“ I am  with  you,  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts.”  But  that  assur- 
ance is  given  only  to  those  who  will  “ go  forth  and  teach  the 
nations.”  Neglect  the  heathen  and  you  cut  the  very  sinews 
of  your  strength  to  succeed  any  where. 

Never  was  there  more  apology  for  selfishness,  nor  more 
temptation  to  abandon  the  heathen  world  than  at  this  mo-, 
ment.  Our  own  wants  and  perils,  as  a nation,  are  appalling. 
Our  young  men  are  wasted  by  the  nfvages  of  war,  or  wanted 
to  fill  gaps  in  our  grasping  enterprise.  Our  candidates  for  the 
Gospel  ministry  are  fast  disappearing.  Some  of  our  largest 
Presbyteries  have  not  one  at  this  present  time.  Not  long 
hence  there  will  come  an  exhaustion  of  men  suitable  for  the 
sacred  office.  Godly  ministers  have  ever  been  the  life  of  the 
Church.  Let  that  life  ebb  away,  and  the  very  foundations  of 
Christianity  will  be  endangered.  Our  educational  institutions 
need  stimulating,  speedily  and  powerfully. 


18 


SPIRITUAL  PROSPERITY  CONDITIONED 


Never  was  there  sncli  a call  for  religions  literature  and 
colportage.  Amid  the  wildest  storms  of  war,  emigration  is 
swelling  over  all  our  older  settlements  and  pushing  out  into 
the  wilderness.  Great  States,  away  toward  the  setting  sun, 
are  annually  launching  into  being,  with  a civilization  to  be 
created  and  leavened  with  a pure  Christianity,  or  they  will 
rush  into  barbarism  and  carry  us  all  down  with  them  to 
swift  destruction.  Over  this  wide,  unsettled  border  the  Gos- 
* pel  must  be  carried  in  the  knapsack  and  preached  from  house 
to  house,  or  not  at  all.  Colportage  is  the  only  hope  of  the 
wilderness.  And  now  we  have  a million  of  readers  in  the 
Army  and  in  the  employ  of  the  Government ; away  from 
home  and  all  the  ordinary  means  of  religious  instruction. 
You  have  heard  their  cry  for  books  and  papers,  and  have 
done  something  for  their  relief.  Thousands  and  tens  of 
thousands  are  languishing  in  hospitals,  longing  for  health,  or 
looking  death  in  the  face.  Their  quickened  and  restless  minds 
need  medicine  as  much  as  their  bodies.  Their  imperiled  souls 
need  nursing  quite  as  desperately  as  the  enfeebled  frame.  We 
must  send  them  good  books  and  kind  Christian  friends,  whose 
cheerful  words  and  warm  hearts  will  do  more  good  than 
medicine. 

And  then,  there  is  the  great  Home  Missionary  field,  wider 
and  more  full  of  want  to-day  than  at  any  moment,  since  the 
Mayflower  was  moored  to  Plymouth  Rock.  There  are  thou- 
sands of  houseless  churches  struggling  to  build  a tabernacle 
in  the  wilderness,  that  their  feeble  flocks  may  not  be  scattered, 
and  all  their  labor  be  “in  vain  in  the  Lord.”  Without  a 
house  of  worship,  the  Missionary  does  labor  in  vain.  We 
ought  to  pour  our  treasures  into  these  poor  and  sparse  settle- 
ments, freely  as  the  children  of  Israel  did,  for  the  “ service  of 
the  work  ” of  the  tabernacle  at  Sinai. 

Our  poor  Home  Missionary  brethren,  holding  on  in  great 
self-denial,  lest  they  lose  all  they  have  gained — how  shall  we 
speak  of  their  hardships,  or  express  their  claim  for  immediate 


lTrON  THE  MISSIONARY  WORK. 


19 


relief?  Never,  perhaps,  since  the  settlement  of  the  country, 
have  the  ministers  of  Christ  had  more  to  tiy  their  faith,  espe- 
cially in  the  destitute  settlements.  Instead  of  diminishing 
their  aid,  as  our  Boards  have  been  obliged  to  do,  it  ought  to 
be  doubled  or  trebled  without  delay.  And  now  very  soon 
(may  God  grant)  the  whole  Southern  half  of  our  territory  will 
be  thrown  upon  us;  with  its  institutions  all  in  ruins,  its 
churches  rent,  its  resources  squandered  and  its  stricken  popu- 
lation enfeebled  and  embittered.  This  blasted  realm  must  be 
recovered ; this  burnt  desert  re-peopled  and  freely  watered, 
or  that  Union  for  which  we  have  sacrificed  so  much,  will,  after 
all,  be  impossible.  Our  Home  Missionary  problem  has  unfolded 
to  an  awful  sublimity.  If,  after  all  our  treasure  and  blood  for 
the  establishment  of  the  Government,  we  allow  the  people  to 
sink  into  barbarism  for  lack  of  moral  culture,  we  shall  not 
deserve  the  freedom  our  swords  have  achieved ; and  we  shall 
not  Tceep  it  either ! 

Besides  all  this,  just  now,  in  the  strange  providence  of  God, 
six  hundred  thousand  poor,  half-heathen  slaves  have  been  cast 
helpless  at  our  feet.  Behind  them  are  coming,  in  God’s  own 
good  time,  three  millions  more.  Their  fetters  have  been  cut, 
and  their  exodus  effected  from  the  house  of  their  bondage,  in 
answer  to  our  prayers.  Oh,  Brethren ! there  are  not  bayo- 
nets enough  in  our  armies,  nor  spires  enough  on  our  churches, 
to  avert  the  judgments  of  heaven,  if  we  allow  these  trusting 
Freedmen  to  die  unrelieved.  They  are  houseless  and  home- 
less. They  are  hungry  and  in  rags.  They  are,  many  of  them, 
enfeebled  by  hardship  and  sinking  under  disease.  Unless  they 
are  helped,  effectually  and  soon,  they  will  drop  into  ghastly 
graves,  and  their  blood  will  cry  to  heaven  from  the  very 
ground.  We  must  not  let  them  perish!  The  culture  of  the 
black  race,  social  and  spiritual,  is  the  gravest  problem  of  this 
new  civilization  which  is  bursting  upon  us.  That  culture 
must  proceed  from  the  North  or  from  Europe.  There  will  be 
no  resources  in  the  South,  personal  or  pecuniar}*,  to  meet 


20 


spiritual  Prosperity  conditioned 


this  demand  for  a generation  to  come.  We  must  certainly 
add  it  to  the  great  weight  of  our  obligations  to  “ disciple  all 
nations.” 

But  what  has  this  to  do  with  Foreign  Missions  ? 11  Much, 

every  way.”  Do  you  think  it  demonstrates  that  all  our 
resources  are  needed  at  home  ? It  is  precisely  because  some 
have  drawn  that  inference  and  withheld  their  contributions 
from  the  Foreign  Board,  that  I have  stated  the  whole  argu- 
ment. Under  the  terrible  pressure  of  the  times,  and  the  wail 
of  our  country’s  want,  may  we  not  relax  our  efforts  for  the 
distant  Gentiles? 

Brethren  ! In  the  fear  of  God,  I dare  not  do  it.  Passing 
from  our  many  and  deep  destitutions  to  the  top  of  Tabor; 
putting  our  great  cry  of  distress  beside  Christ’s  solemn  com- 
mand, I am  afraid  of  offending  him  if  we  neglect  the  heathen. 
I fear  that  every  dollar  we  subtract  from  the  just  claims  of  the 
perishing  nations  to  be  expended  upon  our  own  white  and 
wasting  harvest-field,  will  blast  more  than  it  blesses.  I think 
I hear  the  angry  rebukes  of  the  great  Husbandman : “ These 
ought  ye  to  have  done,  and  not  to  leave  the  other  undone.” 
Oh ! if  Christ  be  not  with  us,  we  labor  and  sacrifice  to  no 
purpose.  Every  duty  we  essay  to  do,  every  triumph  we 
burn  to  achieve,  depends  decisively  upon  the  presence  of  Christ 
atnon"  us. 

O 

Are  we  in  want  of  ministers  ? Do  you  not  know  that  every 
true  priest  is  “ called  of  God,  as  was  Aaron  ? ” Without  the 
presence  of  Christ,  no  amount  of  education  can  ever  make 
a minister.  Our  young  men  must  be  converted  and  filled 
with  the  love  of  souls  before  they  are  fit  candidates  for  the 
sacred  ofiice.  Without  the  presence  of  Christ  with  him,  in 
vain  does  the  colporteur  thread  the  wilderness,  and  lift  up 
his  voice  in  the  streets.  In  vain  does  the  Builder  “ bring 
forth  the  top-stone  of  the  temple,  with  shouting.”  All 
will  be  dark  within.  In  vain  does  the  spiritual  Husband- 
man cast  in  the  seed.  Without  Christ,  his  field  will  be  dry 


UPON  THE  MISSIONARY  WORK. 


21 


as  Gilboa,  where  there  was  “ no  dew,  nor  rain,  nor  fields  of 
offering.” 

We  cannot  get  along  without  Christ.  Our  only  hope  for 
our  imperiled  civilization  is  the  outpouring  of  the  Spirit, 
and  the  cementing,  healing,  harmonizing  influence  of  powerful 
revivals  of  religion.  Without  this,  the  child  is  yet  to  be  born 
who  will  see  the  end  of  our  troubles.  The  triumph  of  our 
arms  I have  never  doubted.  All  can  now  see  that  it  is  very 
near.  But  the  triumph  of  our  religion,  of  Christian  peace  and 
confiding  brotherhood,  is  more  doubtful  and  much  further  off. 
That  will  depend  upon  the  presence  of  Christ  among  us,  and 
the  outpouring  of  his  Spirit  upon  our  churches.  Every  good 
our  heart  or  hope  ever  craved ; every  blessing  in  the  present 
or  in  the  future,  for  the  individual  or  the  nation,  must  depend 
upon  the  fulfillment  of  this  great  promise  : “ Lo  ! I am  with 
you  alwav.” 

Brethren  ! have  I read  this  promise  aright  ? Does  its  fulfill- 
ment depend  upon  our  obedience  to  the  command : “ Go  teach 
all  nations  V Then  the  money  you  give,  the  prayers  you 
offer,  the  labor  you  bestow  upon  Foreign  Missions,  reacts 
most  powerfully  upon  every  interest,  sacred,  social  and  civil 
here  at  home. 

This  is  the  very  hey  that  unlocks  the  treasures  of  grace — 
the  great  covenant . condition  of  every  blessing  which  God 
confers — “ I will  be  with  you.”  That  Presence  is  life  and 
power.  With  it,  our  solemn  assemblies  sway  and  bend  before 
the  “ rushing,  mighty  wind.”  The  word  sparkles  with  holy 
fire.  Prayer  and  praise  float  as  cloud-chariots  to  carry  our 
beatified  spirits  up  to  the  very  throne  of  God.  That  Presence 
brooded  over  the  old  chaos  and  light  shot  through  it ; order 
and  beauty  arose  upon  the  dead  confusion,  and  this  living 
creation,  over  which  the  morning  stars  sang  together,  sprang 
into  vivid  being  and  harmonious  activity.  That  Presence 
penetrates  the  chaotic  darkness  and  dismal  ruin  of  a dead 
soul,  and  another  creation,  outrivaling  the  stellar  spheres, 


22 


SPIRITUAL  PROSPERITY  CONDITIONED 


unfolds  to  the  light  of  morning  stars ! Peace  broods  over  the 
turbulent  spirit.  Hope,  love,  joy,  burst  as  a moral  sunlight ; 
mercy,  gentleness  and  compassion  blossom  on  the  spiritual 
landscape,  sweeter  than  earth  ever  witnessed  outside  of  Eden. 

If  Christ  be  with  us.  our  war-clouds  will  roll  into  view  a 
bow  of  promise,  that  no  such  destructive  deluge  shall  ever 
afflict  us  again.  Moral  harvests  shall  cover  our  deep  desola- 
tions quicker  and  greener  than  the  fattened  grass  above  our 
heroic  graves.  Bitterness  shall  melt  into  brotherhood,  and 
all  our  hot  strifes  calm  into  Christian  zeal  and  wrorthy  emula- 
tion in  cross-bearing  for  Christ’s  sake. 

Oh,  brethren  ! testify  your  belief  in  Jesus’  veracity ; express 
your  valuation  of  his  presence  by  what  you  are  willing  to  do 
to  “ disciple  the  nations,”  and  the  promised  redemption  shall 
make  haste.  Increased  enthusiasm  in  the  missionary  cause 
would  carry  a wave  of  health  and  vigor  to  our  exhausted 
brethren  who  are  doing  our  work  in  heathen  lands.  It  would 
lift  the  weary  “ hands  that  hang  down,  and  the  feeble  knees.” 
It  would  give  a more  certain  sound  to  the  Gospel  itself,  even 
in  Pagan  ears,  and  swell  the  gladdening  streams  of  purity  and 
joy  which  are  changing  the  face  of  the  nations.  These  streams 
shall  yet  cover  all  the  earth  with  verdure,  and  scatter  summer 
glories  over  the  thick  glooms  of  sinful  continents. 

What  we  need  is  a great  increase  of  volume.  Like  the 
type  stream  seen  by  the  prophet  issuing  from  the  temple  at 
Jerusalem,  the  Gospel  should  constantly  gather  depth  and 
copiousness  as  it  pushes  out  into  the  deserts  of  sin. 

It  will  sink  in  the  sand  or  evaporate  in  the  hot  air,  unless 
we  pour  through  the  rugged  channel  constantly  augmenting 
streams  of  saving  influence,  “ To  the  ancles,  to  the  knees,  to 
the  loins,  waters  to  swim  in — a river  that  cannot  be  passed 
over,”  is  the  symbol  of  those  influences  which  are  to  recover 
the  desert  and  heal  the  Dead  Sea  itself.  Pour  abroad  the 
waters  of  life  with  such  constant  augmentation,  and  this  bar- 
ren and  blasted  world  shall  be  transformed  into  a paradise. 


UPON  THE  MISSIONARY  WORK. 


23 


Fadeless  vegetation,  all  manner  of  fruits,  sure  and  specific 
medicines,  beauty,  abundance  and  health — all  bloom  about 
these  healing  streams. 

The  Gospel  enthusiastically  published  shall  purify  all  the 
noxious  institutions  and  governments  of  men,  pour  life  through 
stagnant  populations,  and  cause  songs  to  break  out  on  the 
heavy  gloom  of  every  dead  human  sea.  The  work  has 
begun.  Many  a wilderness  has  already  “ blossomed  as  the 
rose.”  Many  a blasted  heart  has  swelled  and  bloomed  and 
borne  precious  fruit.  Many  a community  has  arisen  to  a new 
life  and  vigor.  Over  half  the  heathen  world  already  has  this 
stream  rolled,  washing  the  bloody  temples  of  Paganism, 
quenching  the  fires  on  horrid  altars,  and  refreshing  thirsting, 
dying  men  in  many  a community.  It  has  lifted  whole  nations 
from  the  debasement  of  the  brute  to  the  dignity  of  the  sons 
of  God.  It  has  assuaged  ferocious  passions,  silenced  the  clan- 
gor of  arms,  and  swelled  into  life  a thousand  blessed  charities. 
It  shall  have  a glorious  future  ! The  missionary  age  has  but 
just  burst  upon  us.  The  ripe  summer  has  hardly  dawned. 
The  songs  of  the  reapers  and  the  golden  sheaves  shall  yet 
gladden  a universal  harvest-home. 

He  that  sitteth  on  the  throne  has  declared,  “Behold,  I 
make  all  things  new” — new  heavens  and  a new  earth,  new 
men  and  new  emotions,  a new  world  and  a new  destiny ; till 
he  shall  look  down  from  that  throne  and  “ see  of  the  travail 
of  his  soul,  and  be  satisfied till 

“ The  dwellers  in  the  vales  and  on  the  rocks 
Shout  to  each  other;  and  the  mountain  tops, 

From  distant  mountains,  catch  the  flying  joy; 

’Till  nation  after  nation,  taught  the  strain, 

Earth  rolls  the  rapturous  hosannah  round.” 

Brethren  ! this  old  song  of  hope  and  triumph  has  been  set 
to  new  music.  “ Can  ye  not  discern  the  signs  of  the  times  V7 
Can  ye  not  read  the  significance  of  this  new  civilization  which 
illumines  our  epoch  ? The  world  moves ! The  chariot  of  sal- 


24 


SPIRITUAL  PROSPERITY  CONDITIONED. 


vation  has  made  a sudden  advance ! The  footsteps  of  Im- 
manuel are  majestic ! Religious  toleration  in  Turkey,  the 
extinction  of  serfdom  in  Russia,  the  abolition  of  slavery  in 
America ! three  continents  awaking  from  the  stupor  of  gloomy 
centuries;  three  powerful  empires  rising  together  and  clap- 
ping their  hands  l The  grand  chorus  of  their  music  and  mo- 
tion is  clearly  this : “ Peace  on  earth,  and  good  will  toward 
men.”  Yes,  the  world  moves  ! the  Church  moves  ! the  mil- 
lenial  morning  “ stands  tiptoe  on  the  misty  mountain  tops.” 
It  shall  never  go  back  again  to  midnight.  This  is  no  night 
fire  that  counterfeits  the  dawn.  It  is  the  sun  of  righteousness. 
His  broad  disc  clips  the  horizon ; his  arrowy  beams  scatter 
life  and  joy  and  sweet  harvests  through  all  the  realms  of 
moral  night.  We  hail  thee,  O Sun  ! joy  of  the  morning,  her- 
ald of  the  day  that  shall  never  go  down  l 


